Robin hopes to turn back time

Dutch forward eager to emulate 'Total Football'

Last updated: 5th June 2008

Robin hopes to turn back time

Van Persie: Total confidence

No-one is secure they are going to qualify. We will see who is the best.

Robin van Persie
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Robin van Persie is confident Holland can roll back the years and sample glory at Euro 2008.

Holland have been drawn in this year's 'Group of Death' after coming out of the hat alongside world champions Italy, France and Romania.

However, Van Persie - who is struggling with a thigh injury ahead of Monday's opener against Italy - feels Holland can emulate the heralded 'Total Football' of his country's past and progress.

The liberal style of play became famous in the Seventies as Holland reached two World Cup finals, but Arsenal forward Van Persie believes the current Dutch crop can also etch their names in history by securing a first European Championship success since 1988.

Statement

"Everyone still talks about the old Holland teams," said Van Persie. "Everyone knows they played really well and made a statement for the whole world.

"If we can work together and have a good tournament, that will be our statement, our moment, and we can enjoy it for many years."

However, Van Persie acknowledges that, if he and his team-mates are to end two decades of waiting for an international triumph, they must first navigate a route out of Group C.

"We are in a difficult group, so it is going to be tight but we are going to give it a go," Van Persie told Arsenal TV Online.

Challenge

"Everyone is speaking about our amazing group, with Italy, Holland and France - but Romania too have a strong side.

"However, no-one is secure they are going to qualify.

"It is going to be very hard, but we have a young team and let's just look at it like a great challenge.

"We just have to forget about the names (in the other teams) and just play our football, then we will see who is the best."